Jacob bauer



(No Model.)

J. BAUER. SLACK WIRE FENCE TIGHTENER.

Patented Oct. 22, 1895.

llnrrnn STATES:

PATENT @FFiQEt JACOB BAUER, or OKLAHOMA, OKLAHOMA TERRITORY.

SLACK-WlRE-FENCE 'llGHTENER.

srncrnzcn'rron forming part of Letters Patent no. 548,420, dated Octoher 22, 1895.

Application filed May 13, 1895. Serial No. 549,218. (Nomodeld To wZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, JACOB BAUER, acitizen of the United States, residing at Oklahoma, in the county of Oklahoma and Territory of Oklahoma, have invented certain new and usefnl Improvements in SlackJ/Vire Tighteners, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in a device for taking up the slack in wires, and while it is more especially adapted to be used for tightening the strands of wire fences, yet it is applicable for tightening wires used for other purposes; and it consists in certain peculiarities of the construction, novel arrangement, and operation of the parts thereof, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth and specifically claimed.

The objects of my invention are, first, to provide a device for tightening or making taut slack strands of wire which shall be simple and inexpensive in construction and strong and durable, yet effective, in operation, and, second, such a device which may be used as a hammer when desired, and which can be more readily applied to the wire and will operate more effectually thereon for tightening thesame than such devices now in general use.

Still another object of my invention is to afford a means whereby the Wires may be made taut while they are strung or without removing them from their supports.

In order to enable others skilled in the art to which my invention pertains to make and use the same, I will now proceed to describe it, referring to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a perspective view of my tightener, showing the same applied to a wire and the method in which the tightener is held when the wire is being crimped or bent to take up the slack. Fig. 2 is a like view of the tightener, showing the handle thereof broken oft and illustrating a piece of wire formed with kinks or crimps; and Fig. 3 is a view in elevation of a portion of a wire fence, showing one of the wires thereof slack and the other as it will appear after being made taut by the use of my instrument.

Similar letters refer to like parts through out the different views of the drawings.

A represents a hammer, which may be made of any suitable size, form, and material, but preferably of metal, and of substantially the shape illustrated in the drawings-that is, with its portion in which its pane a or striking surface is located made octagonal or substantially cylindrical in shape, in order that the said portion may be grasped, as shown in Fig. l of the drawings, with one hand, thus holding the prongs b in position astride of the wire, yet permitting the hammer to be turned in the hand by which it is grasped by means of the handle B, which acts as a lever and is operated with the other hand. The lower portion orpeen of the hammer is somewhat wedge-shaped, as at C, and is provided with two projections or prongs b, which are located a slight distance apart, as shown, and extend at right angles to the handle. These prongs or projections are preferably cylindrical in shape and are located parallel with one another on the peen of the hammer and in alignment from side to side thereof.

The peculiar shape in which I construct my hammerthat is, with the head or pane portion substantially cylindrical in form and the lower or peen portion wedge shaped-possesses particular advantage, for the reason that the cylindrical portion willturn readily within the hand when the prongs are being held in position on the wire D, as shown in Fig. 1, thus preventing the hammer slipping off when the bends or kinks d are being formed. The wedge-shaped portion will permit of the hammer being inserted in close or narrow places when a Wire to be tightened is so located.

By the use of my tightener it is evident that the slack wire D may be quickly made taut, as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, by simply placing the prongs astride of the wire and turning the hammer by means of the handle until the desired bend or curve is formed. This operation of the tightener forms curves or bends which are of such a nature that they will permit of the expansion and contraction of the wires caused by the change in temperature without any danger of breaking the same. This result could not be obtained if the wires were twisted or formed into a knot which would not yield.

It is apparent that my tightener is also adapted to be used as a hammer and will a hammer having its head or pane portion substantially cylindrical in form and its peen provided with two cylindrical projections parallel with each other and at right angles to the handle and in alignment with respect to the sides of the peen, substantially as described.

Signed at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Territory, April 19, 1895.

JACOB BAUER. WVitnesses:

L. B. TREADWELL, DAVID DOUGLAS. 

